Man Arrested for Allegedly Selling Same Land to Two Buyers for K39 Million
Published on November 10, 2025 at 9:15 AM by Evance Kapito
Police in Nkhata Bay have arrested Smart Kathumba, aged 43, from Visawa Village under Traditional Authority (T/A) Zilakoma, on suspicion that he fraudulently sold the same piece of land to two different people and collected a total of K39 million.
Nkhata Bay Police Spokesperson Enala Kalua confirmed the arrest, saying investigations have revealed that the suspect has been involved in fraudulent land sales by posing as a middleman.
According to Kalua, the incident occurred in August this year, when Kathumba allegedly received K39 million from two Malawians living in the United States, both of whom believed they were buying the same plot of land.
The fraud was uncovered when the two buyers later visited Malawi, only to discover that they had each been shown the same piece of land and told it belonged to them.
“The victims reported the matter to Tukombo Police, leading to the arrest of the suspect,” said Kalua.
Police say Kathumba is expected to appear in court soon to answer charges of obtaining money by false pretence.
